North Bennet Street School
General Information
Overview
North Bennet Street School is a private, nonprofit vocational institution located in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in high‑skill craft and trade education. Founded in the late 19th century in Boston’s historic North End district, the school has evolved from its settlement‑house origins into a hands‑on training institution focused on careers in bookbinding, cabinet and furniture making, carpentry, jewelry making and repair, locksmithing and security technology, piano technology, preservation carpentry, and violin making and repair.
The mission centers on training students for careers in traditional trades that use hand skills in concert with evolving technology, preserving craftsmanship and promoting appreciation of fine craft traditions. Classes are workshop‑based, immersive and built around small cohorts of students working with master craftsmen. Located in an urban setting, the campus supports both full‑time professional training and continuing education for hobbyists or trade professionals looking to deepen skills. The school appeals especially to individuals drawn to tangible, artisanal work and who seek a meaningful livelihood rooted in craft—rather than a conventional academic path.
Contact Informations
Address: 150 North Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 USA
Phone Number: 617‑227‑0155
Email Address: info@nbss.edu
School Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1881 (as North Bennet Street Industrial School) |
| Motto | “An Education in Craftsmanship” |
| Institutional Type | Private vocational/trade school, nonprofit |
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) |
| Total Undergraduate Students (full‑time) | Approximately 150–160 undergraduates |
North Bennet Street School Rankings
| Ranking Category | Rank / Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Acceptance Rate | 100 % (open or nearly open admissions) |
| National Graduation Rate | Approx. 96 % |
| Global Ranking | Not reported / Not applicable (specialized craft school) |
North Bennet Street School Academics
North Bennet Street School Faculties / Departments
- Bookbinding Department
- Cabinet & Furniture Making Department
- Carpentry Department
- Jewelry Making & Repair Department
- Locksmithing & Security Technology Department
- Piano Technology Department
- Preservation Carpentry Department
- Violin Making & Repair Department
North Bennet Street School Courses and Programs / Majors
- Two‑year Bookbinding Certificate Program
- Two‑year Cabinet & Furniture Making Program
- Nine‑month Carpentry Program
- Two‑year Jewelry Making & Repair Program
- Nine‑month Locksmithing & Security Technology Program
- Nine‑month Basic Piano Technology and Advanced Piano Technology Programs
- Two‑year Preservation Carpentry Program
- Three‑year Violin Making & Repair Program
Online Learning
North Bennet Street School does not emphasize fully online career‑programs; its key programs are heavily hands‑on and require intensive in‑person studio, lab, or shop work. Although some continuing education or supplemental modules may be offered in blended formats, the core craft/trade certificate programs remain in‑person, reflecting the nature of manual, tool-based, and workshop-driven instruction.
Average Test Scores
| Test | Range / Data |
|---|---|
| SAT | Not publicly reported for admissions |
| ACT | Not publicly reported |
| GRE | Not applicable (certificate/trade-oriented institution) |
Retention and Graduation Rates
The school reports a high graduation rate, often cited as approximately 96 % of enrolled students completing their programs. Retention data indicates a rate around 90 % for recent cohorts. The strong completion metrics reflect small class sizes, selective enrollment of motivated craft students, and a highly focused educational model anchored in vocational training over traditional academic pathways.
North Bennet Street School Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
North Bennet Street School does not publicly publish minimum GPAs, SAT or ACT score ranges as part of its admissions criteria. Admissions typically assess readiness for the program, portfolio or interview (depending on craft area), prior education or equivalent, and fit with hands-on trade instruction rather than standardized test performance.
North Bennet Street School Acceptance Rate
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 100 % |
North Bennet Street School Application Requirements
Applicants to North Bennet Street School must complete an application form, provide proof of high school diploma or equivalent, submit any required program-specific items such as a portfolio of work (in fields like cabinet & furniture making or jewelry) or demonstrate manual aptitude, meet with admissions or program faculty for consultation, and attend an orientation or information session. The school evaluates each candidate’s interest in and commitment to craft/trade training, hand skills, and readiness for an intensive studio/shop environment. Financial aid information, technical standards, and scheduling logistics are also discussed during the admissions process.
Application Process
- Fill out and submit the school application form
- Provide high school diploma, GED or proof of equivalent education
- Submit any portfolio or program-specific materials if required
- Attend an admissions interview or program consultation
- Attend orientation and enroll in classes, register for studio/shop courses
North Bennet Street School Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Deadline Type | Detail |
|---|---|
| Program Start Dates | Various start dates depending on full-time program schedule |
| Rolling or cohort admissions | Some programs admit once per year or by cohort |
Essay Prompt (if applicable)
While a formal essay prompt may not be universally required, some programs may ask applicants to submit a short statement of purpose or interest in craft/trade training, describing their experience, motivation for attending, and goals in the chosen field. This helps faculty assess commitment to manual-skills instruction and craft career pathways.
North Bennet Street School Scholarships
The school offers institutional scholarships and grant funds to support students in its craft and trade programs. Approximately 70 % of students receive financial aid. Applicants are encouraged to complete financial aid forms, scholarship applications, and engage with the student services office early to maximize aid and scholarships specific to craft/trade training.
North Bennet Street School Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Cost Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees (typical program) | Approximately US $53,350 for the furniture design/ manufacturing program (2024‑25 estimate) |
| Net Price After Aid (average) | Approx. US $35,199 per year after aid |
North Bennet Street School Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics (Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity)
The student population is small, about 150 full-time undergraduates. Much of the enrollment is adult or non-traditional learners, with 71 % of students over age 25. Gender distribution leans toward male in many trades, and racial/ethnic diversity is limited.
Low‑Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Approximately 17 % of students receive Pell Grants, indicating representation of low-income students. The school provides accessibility and support services for students with disabilities.
Student Body
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Undergraduate Students | Approximately 151 full-time undergraduates |
| International Students | Not separately reported |
University Diversity
North Bennet Street School is a specialized craft and trade institution, which shapes its student community. Many students are mature adults seeking new careers or deeper trade skills. The age diversity and variety of life experiences enrich the campus community. Students come from backgrounds ranging from hobbyist to experienced tradesperson to highly skilled craftspeople seeking advanced credentials. Small cohort sizes and studio-based learning foster close peer interaction, mentorship by master craftspeople, and an environment where each student’s work is visible and valued. The school emphasizes access, personal growth, and lifelong craft development regardless of socioeconomic background.
Average Earnings
Graduates go into specialized craft trades—bookbinding, furniture making, violin making, locksmithing, piano technology, jewelry repair—which often combine self-employment, apprenticeships, artisan shops, or niche service practices. Median earnings five years after graduation are approximately US $47,969. Earnings vary widely by specialty, business success, geographic market, and client base. The high graduation rate and focus on employable trade skills suggest many graduates achieve a meaningful livelihood.
North Bennet Street School Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
The school has small class sizes and faculty with significant professional craft experience. Student-faculty ratios are approximately 10:1. Faculty includes master craftspeople, artisans, and trades professionals. Support staff provide student services, career services, financial aid, admissions, and workshop support.
Faculty Profiles (Expertise, Achievements)
Faculty bring professional experience in bookbinding, furniture making, violin making, locksmith/security, jewelry repair, and piano technology. Many maintain active studio practices, contribute to exhibitions, and mentor graduates into professional studios or businesses. This ensures the school preserves and advances craft traditions.
North Bennet Street School Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Located in Boston’s North End, the campus is urban and commuter-friendly. Traditional student housing is not emphasized; students live off-campus. Student life centers around studio workshops, craft fairs, open houses, peer critiques, and apprenticeships rather than dormitory culture or major athletics. Continuing education and weekend workshops provide additional community engagement.
Transportation
The campus is accessible via public transit in downtown Boston, including bus and subway. Commuting students benefit from walkability, public transport links, and proximity to local craft and design communities. The location supports working adults balancing training with other commitments and allows seamless transition between workshops, classrooms, and collaborative spaces.